The New York Blood Center has reached a deal to provide for the long-term care of more than 60 Liberian chimpanzees formerly used in medical research.
Under an arrangement announced Tuesday the organization will pay $6 million to the Humane Society of the United States, which has agreed to assume responsibility for the animals.
The animals were used in the testing of a vaccine for Hepatitis B. The Blood Center ended the research in 2006.
The Humane Society will provide food, medical care and facilities for the chimpanzees, which are dependent on human care after years in captivity. The society will also seek to raise private funds to cover the costs of future care.
Some of the animals could live for another 40 years or more.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
